03/20/98

Parent Advocacy Training

Important notice to parents of children with special needs.

I received the following letter in response to last week's Q&A about parent advocacy:

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for providing such useful information.

My nine-year old son has learning disabilities and has been in special education since the first grade. I've been going through the maze of special education (PPT's, IEP's, evaluations, etc.) for several years now, and it hasn't been easy.

A year ago, school officials in our Connecticut town planned to cut back on my son's special education services because he wasn't showing sufficient progress. My wife and I disagreed with their decision to give up on him, but we didn't know what to do about it. I'm so glad a friend told us about the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Connecticut.

Last September I enrolled in the LDA's Parent Assistance training program, given in their office in Hartford. It is a six-month course in advocacy, designed for parents and other people who want to understand what's going on in special education. I learned about the school's obligations to our son and how to press for our rights as parents.

As soon as the school officials found out I was associated with the LDA, they became much more cooperative. It was especially helpful when our LDA Parent Assistant came along with us to our meetings. Due to her efforts as our Parent Assistant we got what we wanted, an outside evaluation of our son. The evaluation was finished recently and next week we plan to use the results to put together an appropriate educational program.

Elizabeth, none of this would be happening if it weren't for the LDA.

I also want you to know how much I've enjoyed working with the other 'students' in my Parent Assistance training class. We've all shared our successes and disappointments and provided moral support to each other when necessary. I'm proud to be associated with such dedicated and hardworking people. I'm sure all of us will become outstanding Parent Assistants when we 'graduate' in April.

I'm looking forward to working as a Parent Assistant (actually we are all volunteers). I've learned so much over the past few months. I'm eager to use this knowledge to help other parents who are in the position my wife and I were in a year ago.

I think you should write about the LDA of Connecticut in an upcoming feature. I'm sure the LDA could help many of your readers. Their address is: LDA of Connecticut 999 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06015; Telephone: 860.560.1711.

Sincerely, Appreciative Father

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.